There are two main types of sleep disorders under SDB

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)?

The Most common form of SDB is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OSA occurs when there are repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during sleep

Apnea is a cessation of airflow for ≥10 seconds, a reduction of airflow greater than 90% of baseline

Hypopnea: a decrease in airflow lasting ≥10 seconds with a 30% oxygen reduction in airflow and with at least a 4% oxygen desaturation from baseline

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be Mild, Moderate, or Severe.

AHI (Apnea–Hypopnea Index) is the numerical value assigned for how many times a person pauses their breathing per given time.

AHI = 0-4 Normal range

AHI = 5-14 Mild sleep apnea

AHI = 15-30 Moderate sleep apnea

AHI > 30 Severe sleep apnea

Signs and symptoms of Sleep Apnea

LACK OF ENERGY

MORNING HEADACHES

HYPERTENSION

FREQUENT NOCTURNAL URINATION

DEPRESSION

OBESITY

LARGE NECK SIZE

EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS (EDS)

NIGHTTIME GASPING, CHOKING OR COUGHING

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GE REFLUX)

IRREGULAR BREATHING DURING SLEEP (IE, SNORING)

WHAT IS CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA

Central sleep apnea is the less common type of sleep apnea and occurs when the area of the brain that controls breathing does not send the correct signals to the breathing muscles. Can occur with OSA or alone.

Approximately 42 million American adults have SDB, 1 in 5 adults has mild OSA

1 in 15 has moderate to severe OSA

9% of middle-aged women and 25% of middle-aged men suffer from OSA

75% of severe SDB cases remain undiagnosed

Increased Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea

Male gender

Obesity (BMI >30)

Hypertension

Excessive use of alcohol or sedatives

Upper airway or facial abnormalities

Smoking

Family history of OSA

Neck circumference of (>17” men; >16” women)

Endocrine and metabolic disorders

CARDIOVASCULAR CONNECTION TO OSA

According to Americal Heart Association, 5.7 million people in the US have heart failure

Approximately 76% of congestive heart failure patients have SDB

49% of atrial fibrillation patients and 30% of cardiovascular patients have SBD

OSA presents in 70% of heart attack patients with AHI ≥5, and 52% of heart attack patients with AHI greater than or equal to 10

TYPE 2 DIABETES CONNECTION TO OSA

OSA is associated with insulin resistance diabetes independent of obesity

48% of type 2 diabetes sufferers have sleep apnea. May have a casual role in the development of type 2 diabetes

86% of obese type 2 diabetic patients suffer from sleep apnea

STROKE CONNECTION TO OSA

65% of stroke patients have SDB

Up to 70% of patients in rehabilitation therapy following stroke have significant SDB ,AHI >10

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CONNECTION TO OSA

There is up to 15 fold increase of being involved in vehicular accidents in people with moderate to severe sleep apnea,and a fatality of 980 lives every year in the us.

Treatment of OSA with oral appliance & How Does It Work?

Oral appliances are indicated for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Oral appliances also offer alternative for patients with severe OSA who cannot or will not tolerate positive airway pressure therapy or CPAP. Oral appliances for OSA must be prescribed by a physician and fitted by a dentist. The mechanical holding of the mandible forward in relation to the maxilla, and the prevention of the tongue from collapsing into the airway during sleep provides mechanisms that decrease the collapsibility and an increase in the dimensions of the upper airway. This simple and viable option in the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders reduces the potential for obstruction.

Oral Appliances Types

The two main types of appliances for SBD are those that advance the mandible in relation to the maxilla, and those that hold the tongue in the protruded position. The custom made nocturnal mandibular advancement device is the most commonly used device, and is farther divided into adjustable and non adjustable. The adjustable device allows for adjustments for titration. Oral appliances are easy and comfortable to wear and most people adjust to the appliance with in couple of weeks.The small and convenient size makes it easy to carry it when traveling. Makes for a non-invasive reversible treatment. The tongue retaining device is least popular because it lacks the ability to adjust for titration, can dislodge because of lack of suction and therefore has low compliance because of comfort issues. Mandibular advancement appliances are the most commonly used.

Elsabet H. Tekle, DDS

5 out of 5 stars based on 2 Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea reviews.

Patient Review

Exceptional and professional service!

- Jacque T

5 out of 5 stars
byJacque Ton12/21/2015

Patient Review

Fitting for new device was simple. Device itself worked miraculously. Snoring reduced 100% per sleep monitor SnoreLab (which is great and free trial and usage; costs only 2.99 to save multiple nights recordings).